No body significant body features existed
1910s
Plain body panels
No aesthetic features
No comfort features
No aerodynamic features
Mechanical appearance
Every part had a mechanical function
Black grills and common among many vehicles
Flat windshields
Flat roofs
Abrupt transitions
1920s
Dawn of styling
Primitive feature lines added to body panels
Minimal radii introduced to body panels
Grills had no aesthetic value
Primitive front bumper introduced
Primitive lighting
Side glass and side mirrors introduced
Fully enclosed cockpits
Features (e.g., mirrors & lamps) not incorporated into design
Enhanced wheel designs
Conservative use of colors
Realization of the aesthetic value of the vehicle body
1930s
Harmonious panel designs introduced
Grill blending with hood
Bumpers assumed curvaceous styles, blending with body panels
Headlamps incorporated into overall vehicle styling
Two-piece and raked windshields
Smooth and stylish body panels using greater bend radii
Rounded door panels with smoother features
Greater range of colors
Color coordinated wheels
1940s
Each model taking its own identity
Grill to fascia transitions introduced
Front fascia completely integrated into the front end
Headlamps sunken into body panels
Rear tail lamps incorporated into vehicle
Glass still flat, but shapes blends with exterior lines
Harmonious exterior appearance
Body panels better flow into one another
Feature lines flow from one panel to another
Larger fillet radii used in roofs
1950s
Decade of adventurous styling
Introduction of very large panels
Significantly improved front end, with chrome grills and large bumpers
More square front ends
More box shaped designs (enhancing occupant space and styling)
Bumpers wrapped around fender and quarter panels
Government standards introduced (e.g., headlamps and bumpers)
Glass with compound curvature - wrap around
Increased trunk space
Conspicuous body lines, lots of chrome
More liberal use of colors to support styling
1960s
Market targeted styling
More conservative styling changes
Headlamps incorporated into front grill assembly
Large but less extravagant bumpers
Fascia assumed a modern appearance
Dual headlamps (bolder and more aggressive look)
Improved glass design (with less distortion)
Cleaner panels and body lines
Abundant use of chrome molding
Introduction of aerodynamic features (e.g., spoilers)
A variety of wheel designs
1970s
Introduction of family vehicles (staionwagons & vans)
Vehicle lines with more options (e.g., 2-door, 4-door, stationwagon)
Many subcompacts introduced
Retractable headlamps introduced
Less chrome
Plastic covered bumpers
Stereo antenna incorporated into glass (improving aerodynamics)
Revival of wood paneling from the 50s
Explosion of body styles
Aluminum wheels
1980s - 1990s
Less frequent styling changes
Greater focus on packaging and engineering (but shifting to styling again in late 1990s)
Styling influenced by the cost of manufacturing
Plastic front and rear ends
Smaller stationwagons are more popular
Halogen light bulbs
Highly government regulated features
The stylists have more "rules" to work with
Much improved aerodynamics
Much less use of chrome